37. Must Every Man Be Lost? | Act V: The Chase and the Silence

[Verse 1]
The second day has passed in splintered spray,
Yet still you bid us hunt another day.
I watch the rescued sailors at the rail,
And see how even steady hands can fail.

[Verse 2]
I heard you speak of those who wait on shore,
And hoped their love might turn your course once more.
I glimpsed the father underneath your pride,
And watched that glimpse recede beneath the tide.

[Chorus]
Must every man be lost to feed one flame?
Must every life be wagered on one name?
I beg you, Captain, look them in the eye,
And tell me why these men must follow you to die.

[Verse 3]
I watched the crew once cheer your golden prize,
And saw the promise kindle in their eyes.
Now broken boats drift in the morning light,
And all that fierce excitement turns to fright.

[Verse 4]
I have opposed you with the truth I know,
Yet still you send us where no man should go.
I cannot take your place or turn this chase,
But I can speak for every frightened face.

[Chorus]
Must every man be lost to feed one flame?
Must every life be wagered on one name?
I beg you, Captain, look them in the eye,
And tell me why these men must follow you to die.

[Verse 5]
I see the men who laboured at your side,
And know their lives outweigh a captain's pride.
They did not deal the injury you bear,
Why must they die to settle your despair?

[Verse 6]
The boats hang ready, poised above the sea,
I beg you, Captain, hear this cry from me.
I have no other counsel left to give,
Except this final plea: let these men live.

[Chorus]
Must every man be lost to feed one flame?
Must every life be wagered on one name?
I beg you, Captain, look them in the eye,
And tell me why these men must follow you to die.

[Outro]
I watch the boats lie waiting by the rail,
And feel my last appeal begin to fail.
Yet while these men still breathe beneath the sky,
I cannot cease to ask you, Captain, why.

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[The Scene] Following the devastation of the second day’s pursuit, the Pequod’s surviving crew prepare for a third confrontation with Moby Dick. Broken boats, exhausted sailors and the mounting danger of the hunt have brought Starbuck’s worst fears close to reality. Remembering Ahab’s brief moment of regret and his unanswered appeal to return home, Starbuck confronts his captain once more. He begs Ahab to consider the lives of the men who have followed him, their families waiting ashore and the terrible price of continuing the chase. Yet Ahab remains unmoved, his determination stronger than every warning. With the final day approaching, Starbuck faces the dreadful possibility that the entire crew may perish for a vengeance that none of them shares. [Verse 1] The second day has passed in splintered spray, Yet still you bid us hunt another day. I watch the rescued sailors at the rail, And see how even steady hands can fail. [Verse 2] I heard you speak of those who wait on shore, And hoped their love might turn your course once more. I glimpsed the father underneath your pride, And watched that glimpse recede beneath the tide. [Chorus] Must every man be lost to feed one flame? Must every life be wagered on one name? I beg you, Captain, look them in the eye, And tell me why these men must follow you to die. [Verse 3] I watched the crew once cheer your golden prize, And saw the promise kindle in their eyes. Now broken boats drift in the morning light, And all that fierce excitement turns to fright. [Verse 4] I have opposed you with the truth I know, Yet still you send us where no man should go. I cannot take your place or turn this chase, But I can speak for every frightened face. [Chorus] Must every man be lost to feed one flame? Must every life be wagered on one name? I beg you, Captain, look them in the eye, And tell me why these men must follow you to die. [Verse 5] I see the men who laboured at your side, And know their lives outweigh a captain's pride. They did not deal the injury you bear, Why must they die to settle your despair? [Verse 6] The boats hang ready, poised above the sea, I beg you, Captain, hear this cry from me. I have no other counsel left to give, Except this final plea: let these men live. [Chorus] Must every man be lost to feed one flame? Must every life be wagered on one name? I beg you, Captain, look them in the eye, And tell me why these men must follow you to die. [Outro] I watch the boats lie waiting by the rail, And feel my last appeal begin to fail. Yet while these men still breathe beneath the sky, I cannot cease to ask you, Captain, why.

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